Take Control of the Cloud, 2nd Edition

Privacy and Security in the Cloud

One of the questions I hear most frequently about using cloud services and storage is “What about security?” Is the Cloud…safe?

The simplest answer would be no, the Cloud isn’t safe. But the reality is considerably more nuanced.

For starters, let’s be clear about what we mean by “security.” Security is freedom from danger or harm. What harm could come to you when using the Cloud? Well, apart from all the usual risks of using any computer network (such as intruders trying to gain unauthorized access to your equipment, exposure to viruses and other malware, and accidental data loss), the biggest danger of the Cloud is that someone could see private information about you—the contents of files you store online, ...